Against the Spread: Oklahoma State Favored by 40 Over Kansas

Either odds-makers didn’t watch OSU play on Saturday, or they are extremely out on Kansas in 2017. Because OSU opened at Vegas Insiders this week as 40-point favorites over the Jayhawks on Saturday.

It’s the largest point spread OSU has been favored by all season — even bigger than Game 2 against a hapless South Alabama team where OSU was favored by 28.

Against the spread in 2017

• OSU is 5-6 against the spread this season, and coming off a disheartening 45-40 loss on Saturday as double-digit favorites.

• Kansas has been favored in just one game all season, and even that contest resulted in a loss. The Jayhawks have covered four times this season, though, including twice in the past two weeks.

Advice: Take KU to cover. I’m not sure the struggles of coming out sluggish early at home will have been resolved by Saturday, and that could favor KU. I think they cover.

Straight up in 2017

• OSU is 8-3 this season with losses to TCU, OU and K-State.

• Kansas has one win to its name this season.

Advice: Take OSU straight up. But I don’t say that with near as much confidence as I feel I should.

Over/Under

• OSU: OSU has hit the over 8 of 11 games this season. Unfortunately, that’s not specifically attributable to OSU’s offense. The Cowboy defense has allowed 31.2 points per game this season, and 50 points per game in November.

• Kansas: In 5 of KU’s 11 games, it has surpassed the over/under mark set by Vegas.

Advice: Take the over no matter what. The way OSU’s defense has played this month, KU might hang 30-plus at BPS on Saturday.